Transition Time
All youth surveyed at age 17 were in foster care. By age 19, 64% of youth surveyed were no longer in foster care.
This brief presents research findings from National Youth in Transition Database surveys comparing youth at age 17 and at age 19. It includes key comparisons by gender and foster care status.
All youth surveyed at age 17 were in foster care. By age 19, 64% of youth surveyed were no longer in foster care.
51% of 19-year-old respondents reported some job-related experience while 43% reported receiving some form of financial assistance.
94% of 17-year-olds said they were enrolled in and attending some type of educational programming. By age 19, 55% had received a high school diploma or GED.
92% of youth in care and 88% of youth not in care reported having a caring adult they can go to for support.
At age 17, almost half of the respondents reported a history of high-risk outcomes: substance abuse, incarceration or birthing/fathering a child.
At age 17, over half of the reporting youth were attending school, had positive connections to at least one adult and were receiving Medicaid with no history of high-risk outcomes. At age 19, many of these positive indicators were still in play. Yet survey results suggest that boys with histories of incarceration, substance abuse or homelessness have more challenges as they age. The lesson? Continue supporting youth who may be vulnerable to risky behaviors as they move into adulthood.
Reported Outcomes by Age and Gender
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